U.S. patent application number 11/289498 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for image reader for use in an image forming apparatus, and contamination check method of guide film for the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Young-min Kim, Sang-cheol Park.
Application Number | 20060158701 11/289498 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36683555 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060158701 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Sang-cheol ; et
al. |
July 20, 2006 |
Image reader for use in an image forming apparatus, and
contamination check method of guide film for the same
Abstract
An image reading apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus
includes a document glass installed on an upper side of the image
reading body on which a document is placed; an image reading sensor
installed under the document glass for stopping after being
transferred to a predetermined position or for reciprocating in a
straight direction parallel to the document glass; a cover for
opening and closing the upper surface of the document glass; an
automatic document feeder (ADF) for feeding the document to the
position to which the image reading sensor is fixed; a document
discharging plate for discharging the document fed through the
automatic document feeding unit; first and second guide members for
guiding to allow the document fed through the automatic document
feeding unit to be discharged to the document discharging plate,
the first and second guide members being installed at a
predetermined interval to expose the document toward the image
reading sensor; and a guide film installed to cover the interval
between the first and second guide members for guiding to allow the
document to be discharged to the document discharging plate. By
this structure, a size of the image forming apparatus can be
reduced.
Inventors: |
Park; Sang-cheol; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Kim; Young-min; (Suwon-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEIN, MCEWEN & BUI, LLP
1400 EYE STREET, NW
SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
36683555 |
Appl. No.: |
11/289498 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/193 20130101;
H04N 1/1235 20130101; H04N 1/121 20130101; H04N 1/123 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/498 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/04 20060101
H04N001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 19, 2005 |
KR |
2005-4792 |
Claims
1. An image reading apparatus, comprising: a document glass
installed on an upper side of an image reading table and on which a
document is placed thereon; an image reading sensor provided under
the document glass for performing an image reading operation; a
cover for opening and closing the upper surface of the document
glass; an automatic document feeder (ADF) for feeding the document
along an image reading path to a predetermined location at which
the image reading sensor is provided for an image reading
operation; a document discharging plate for discharging the
document fed through the ADF for the image reading operation; first
and second guide members for guiding the document fed through the
ADF to be discharged to the document discharging plate, the first
and second guide members being installed at a predetermined
interval to expose the document toward the image reading sensor for
performing the image reading operation; and a guide film installed
to cover the interval between the first and second guide members
for guiding the document along the image reading path to be
discharged to the document discharge plate.
2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
guide film is made of transparent material.
3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one
end of the guide film is connected to an upper surface of the
second guide member, and the other end of the guide film is
projected under the first guide member, such that the guide film is
elastically moved according to the opening and closing operations
of the cover.
4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
guide film is installed to be replaceable.
5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
replaceable structure is constituted to allow a portion of the
second guide member attached to the guide film to be detachably
formed such that the portion attached to the guide film is
replaced.
6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second guide member is additionally provided with an antistatic
brush for removing static electricity of the document which passes
through the guide film.
7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
antistatic brush has a length corresponding to a width of the
document.
8. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a contamination checking unit for checking whether the
guide film is contaminated.
9. The image reading apparatus according to claim 8, the
contamination checking unit comprises: a first memory for storing
basic scan data obtained under an initial condition that the
document is not existed; a second memory for storing measured scan
data obtained again under the condition that the document is not
existed after performing the image reading operation of the
document in a predetermined cycle; and a comparison processor for
comparing the value stored in the first memory and the value stored
in the second memory and determining whether the guide film is
contaminated.
10. The image reading apparatus according to claim 9, further
comprising: an alarm unit for generating a warning indicating an
abnormality when the guide film is contaminated by means of the
comparison processor.
11. The image reading apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
alarm unit is one of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and a Light
Emitting Diode (LED).
12. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image reading part
having a document glass installed on an upper side of the image
reading table on which a document is placed, an image reading
sensor installed under the document glass for performing an image
reading operation, a cover for opening and closing the upper
surface of the document glass, an automatic document feeder (ADF)
for feeding the document along an image reading path to a
predetermined location at which the image reading sensor is
provided for an image reading operation, a document discharging
plate for discharging the document fed through the ADF, first and
second guide members for guiding the document fed through the ADF
to be discharged to the document discharging plate, the first and
second guide members being installed at a predetermined interval to
expose the document toward the image reading sensor for performing
the image reading operation, and a guide film installed to cover
the interval between the first and second guide members for guiding
the document along the image reading path to be discharged to the
document discharging plate; and an image forming part for forming
the image on a printable medium on the basis of information read by
the image reading part.
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
guide film is made of transparent material.
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein one
end of the guide film is connected to an upper surface of the
second lower guide member, and the other end of the guide film is
projected under the first lower guide member, such that the guide
film is elastically moved according to the opening and closing
operations of the cover.
15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
guide film is installed to be replaceable.
16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the
replaceable structure is constituted to allow a portion of the
second guide member attached to the guide film to be detachably
formed such that the portion attached to the guide film is
replaced.
17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
second guide member is additionally provided with an antistatic
brush for removing static electricity of the document which passes
through the guide film.
18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the
antistatic brush has a length corresponding to a width of the
document.
19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, further
comprising: a contamination checking unit for checking whether the
guide film is contaminated.
20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the
contamination checking unit comprises: a first memory for storing
basic scan data obtained under an initial condition that the
document is not existed; a second memory for storing measured scan
data obtained again under the condition that the document is not
existed after performing the image reading operation of the
document in a predetermined cycle; and a comparison processor for
comparing the value stored in the first memory and the value stored
in the second memory and determining whether the guide film is
contaminated.
21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, further
comprising: an alarm unit for generating a warning indicating an
abnormality when the guide film is contaminated by means of the
comparison processor.
22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
alarm unit is one of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and a Light
Emitting Diode (LED).
23. A method for checking contamination of a guide film of an image
reading apparatus, comprising: saving basic scan data by performing
an image reading operation under an initial condition that a
document is not fed and the guide film is not contaminated; feeding
the document through an automatic document feeder (ADF) and then
reading an image of the document guided through the guide film by
means of an image reading sensor while transferring the document to
a document discharging plate; determining whether a process for
reading the image of the document has reached a predetermined
cycle; when the process of reading the image of the document has
reached a predetermined cycle, performing an image reading
operation under the condition that the document is not fed and
obtaining measured scan data about the contamination of the guide
film; and comparing the basic scan data with the measured scan data
and determining whether the guide film is contaminated.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, during the
determination of whether the guide film is contaminated, an alarm
is generated for warning a user of an abnormal state of the guide
film if the guide film is contaminated.
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the alarm is
generated, via an alarm unit made of one of a Liquid Crystal
Display (LCD) and a Light Emitting Diode (LED).
26. The method according to claim 23, wherein the predetermined
cycle is determined when the number of the document processed by
the image reading process has reached the base number of
sheets.
27. An image reader for use in an image forming apparatus having an
image reading table provided with a platen glass, comprising: an
image reading sensor provided under the platen glass to perform an
image reading operation; a cover rotatably fixed at a distal end of
the image reading table to cover the platen glass, the cover
including an automatic document feeder (ADF) to feed an individual
sheet of a document along an image reading path, via an opening
along an image reading direction of the image reading sensor, and a
document discharging plate to receive the individual sheet of the
document fed through and discharged from the ADF; inlet and outlet
guide members installed at respective sides of the opening, and
arranged inside the ADF to guide the individual sheet of the
document along the image reading path; and a guide film installed
to cover the opening between the inlet and outlet guide members,
for guiding the individual sheet of the document along the image
reading path to be discharged, via the document discharge
plate.
28. The image reader according to claim 27, wherein the guide film
is made of transparent material, and is elastic such that, when the
cover is closed, the guide film is pressed against the platen glass
to seal the opening during the image reading operation, and when
the cover is opened, the guide film is unfolded to release any
foreign material accumulated thereon during the image reading
operation.
29. The image reader according to claim 27, wherein the guide film
is installed to be replaceable, and is attached to an outlet guide
member that has a detachable structure.
30. The image reader according to claim 27, wherein an outlet guide
member is additionally provided with an antistatic brush for
removing static electricity generated when the individual sheet of
the document passes through the guide film, and wherein the
antistatic brush has a length corresponding to a width of the
individual sheet of the document.
31. The image reader according to claim 27, further comprising a
contamination checking unit for checking whether the guide film is
contaminated, the contamination checking unit comprising: a first
memory for storing basic scan data obtained under an initial
condition that the document is not existed; a second memory for
storing measured scan data obtained again under the condition that
the document is not existed after performing the image reading
operation of the document in a predetermined cycle; and a
comparison processor for comparing the value stored in the first
memory and the value stored in the second memory and determining
whether the guide film is contaminated.
32. The image reader according to claim 31, further comprising: an
alarm unit for generating a warning indicating an abnormality when
the guide film is contaminated by means of the comparison
processor.
33. The image reader according to claim 32, wherein the alarm unit
is one of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and a Light Emitting Diode
(LED).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims all benefits accruing under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119 from Korean Patent Application No. 2005-4792
filed on Jan. 19, 2005 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office,
the entire content of which is incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus
and an image reader for use therein, and more particularly, to an
image reader for use in an image forming apparatus to minimize the
size of a scanning portion, via an Auto Document Feeder (ADF)
scanning area and a flatbed scanning area, and a method for
checking the contamination of a guide film.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Generally, an image reader is included as part of an image
forming apparatus, such as, a printer, a facsimile machine, a
photocopier and a multi-functional product, for reading an image of
a document, via a flatbed scanning method, while moving an image
reading sensor, and for reading the image of a document, via an ADF
(Automatic Document Feeder) scanning method, while transferring the
document with the image reading sensor being fixed.
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates an example image forming apparatus.
Referring to FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an
image reader 10 for reading an image of documents D1 and D2; an
image former 30 for forming an image on a printable medium such as
paper (P) on the basis of information read from the image reader
10; and a paper feeding mechanism 40 provided on a lower part of
the image former 30 to feed individual sheets of paper from a paper
feeding cassette 50 into the image former 30 for image
formation.
[0007] The image reader 10 includes an image reading table 11
having a platen glass 12 to accommodate different standard sized
papers, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 13 to automatically
feed individual sheets of print media, such as document D1 and
document D2, from different trays, to be read by the image reader
10. In addition, a housing is provided to house the image reader
10, the image former 30, the paper feeding mechanism 50, the paper
feeding cassette 70 and related components (not shown) along with a
control and display panel 20 for controlling operation and
providing visual display of operation. Typically, the image reader
10 utilizes two scanning methods, that is, an ADF scanning method
for supplying an image reading sensor 14 at a predetermined
location and then reading an image from a document D1 while
conveying the document D1, via an ADF 13, and a flatbed scanning
method for fixing a document D2 on an image reading table 11 and
then reading an image while moving an image reading sensor 14 in
bi-directions (.revreaction.).
[0008] As shown in FIG. 1, the image reader 10 also includes an ADF
glass 15 provided in the ADF 13 for the ADF scanning, and a platen
glass 15 provided on the image reading table 11 for the flat bed
scanning. In addition, the image reader 10 further includes a guide
member 16 located between the ADF glass 15 and the platen glass 12
for guiding to discharge the document D1 fed from the ADF 13 to a
document discharging plate 17.
[0009] However, there are several problems associated with the
arrangement shown in FIG. 1. First, the width H1 of the image
reader 10 is increased and unnecessarily large, since the ADF
scanning area A and the flatbed scanning area F are separated from
each other.
[0010] In addition, there has been another problem in that the
width H1 of the image reader 10 is not similar to or identical with
a width H2 of a lower part of the image former 30. As a result, the
product, i.e., image forming apparatus can be unstable since the
image reader 10 can be much larger than the image former 30, or
vice versa.
[0011] Further, there has been another problem in that, as the size
of the image forming apparatus is increased, it is inconvenient to
distribute and handle the product. That is, since the size of the
image reader 10 is increased relative to the image former 30, the
size of the package box for the product, i.e., the image forming
apparatus, must also increase, and unnecessary space within the box
can be formed. Thus, it is difficult to efficiently package the
product, and the product is likely to be easily damaged against
impact during distribution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Various aspects and example embodiments of the present
invention advantageously provide an image reader for use in an
image forming apparatus to minimize the size of the image forming
apparatus by using a document glass for ADF scanning and a document
glass for flatbed scanning as an integral member and using a guide
film instead of a guide member.
[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
method for checking the contamination level of a guide film of an
image reader for use in an image forming apparatus.
[0014] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an image reading apparatus comprising a document glass
installed on an upper side of an image reading table, a document
being placed on an upper surface thereon; an image reading sensor
provided under the document glass for performing an image reading
operation; a cover for opening and closing the upper surface of the
document glass; an automatic document feeder (ADF) for feeding the
document along an image reading path to a predetermined location at
which the image reading sensor is provided for an image reading
operation; a document discharging plate for discharging the
document fed through the ADF for the image reading operation; first
and second guide members for guiding the document fed through the
ADF to be discharged to the document discharging plate, the first
and second guide members being installed at a predetermined
interval to expose the document toward the image reading sensor for
performing the image reading operation; and a guide film installed
to cover the interval between the first and second guide members
for guiding the document along the image reading path to be
discharged to the document discharging plate.
[0015] Preferably, the guide film may be made of transparent
material. In addition, one end of the guide film is connected to an
upper surface of the second guide member, and the other end of the
guide film is projected under the first guide member, such that the
guide film is elastically moved according to the opening and
closing operations of the cover.
[0016] Further, it is desirable to allow the guide film to be
installed replaceable. To do this, a replaceable structure is
constituted to allow a portion of the second guide member attached
to the guide film to be detachably formed such that the portion
attached to the guide film is replaced.
[0017] Preferably, the second guide member may be additionally
provided with an antistatic brush for removing static electricity
of the document which passes through the guide film. The antistatic
brush has a length corresponding to a width of the document.
[0018] Furthermore, it is desirable to further include a
contamination checking unit for checking whether the guide film is
contaminated. The contamination checking unit comprises a first
memory for storing basic scan data obtained under an initial
condition that the document is not existed, a second memory for
storing measured scan data obtained again under the condition that
the document is not existed after performing the image reading
operation of the document in a predetermined cycle, and a
comparison processor for comparing the value stored in the first
memory and the value stored in the second memory and determining
whether the guide film is contaminated. In addition, an alarm unit
is also included for providing a warning of a contamination state
of the guide film. The alarm unit may be one of a Liquid Crystal
Display (LCD) and a Light Emitting Diode (LED).
[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an image reading apparatus comprising an image
reading part comprising a document glass installed on an upper side
of an image reading body on which a document is placed on an upper
surface thereof, an image reading sensor installed under the
document glass for stopping after being transferred to a
predetermined position or for reciprocation in a straight direction
parallel to the document glass, a cover for opening and closing the
upper surface of the document glass, an automatic document feeder
(ADF) for feeding the document to the position to which the image
reading sensor is fixed, a document discharging plate for
discharging the document fed through the automatic document feeding
unit, first and second guide members for guiding to allow the
document fed through the ADF to be discharged to the document
discharging plate, the first and second guide members being
installed at a predetermined interval to expose the document toward
the image reading sensor, and a guide film installed to cover the
interval between the first and second guide members for guiding to
allow the document to be discharged to the document discharging
plate; and an image forming part for forming the image on a
printable medium on the basis of information read by the image
reading part.
[0020] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a method for checking contamination of
a guide film of an image reading apparatus. Such a method
comprises: saving basic scan data by performing an image reading
operation under an initial condition that a document is not fed and
the guide film is not contaminated; feeding the document through an
automatic document feeding unit and then reading the image of the
document guided through the guide film by means of an image reading
sensor while transferring the document to a document discharging
plate; determining whether process for reading the image of the
document is reached a predetermined cycle; performing an image
reading operation under the condition that the document is not fed
if the operation for reading the image of the document is reached
the predetermined cycle and obtaining a measured scan data about
the contamination of the guide film; and comparing the basic scan
data with the measured scan data and determining whether the guide
film is contaminated.
[0021] Preferably, in the step of determining whether the guide
film is contaminated, an alarm generating step for warning the
abnormal state if determining that the guide film is contaminated
is further included.
[0022] Further, preferably, in the alarm generating step, an alarm
unit for the alarm generation is one of an LCD and an LED.
[0023] Further, preferably, the predetermined cycle is determined
when the number of the document processed by the image reading
process is reached the base number of sheets.
[0024] From the foregoing, according to the image reading apparatus
and the image forming apparatus of the invention, there are various
advantages in that the size of the image reading apparatus may be
reduced by manufacturing integrally the document glass for ADF
scanning and the document glass for flatbed scanning, that is,
utilizing only a single document glass for both ADF scanning and
flatbed scanning, thereby eliminating the use of a guide member,
making an assembly easy and reducing the number of parts.
[0025] Further, since the size of the image reading apparatus is
reduced, in case of constituting a complex machine (that is, image
forming apparatus) consisting of an image reading part S and an
image forming part P, the width of the image reading part and the
width of the image forming part are in balance, thereby to promote
the stability of the product and accomplish well-balanced
design.
[0026] Furthermore, as described above, as it is possible to
constitute a complex machine (that is, image forming apparatus)
which makes a balance of the image reading part and the image
forming part, the problem that the unnecessary space is occurred is
resolved, thereby to efficiently package the product.
[0027] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, an image reader is provided for use in an image forming
apparatus having an image reading table provided with a platen
glass. Such an image reader comprises: an image reading sensor
provided under the platen glass to perform an image reading
operation; a cover rotatably fixed at a distal end of the image
reading table to cover the platen glass, the cover including an
automatic document feeder (ADF) to feed an individual sheet of a
document along an image reading path, via an opening along an image
reading direction of the image reading sensor, and a document
discharging plate to receive the individual sheet of the document
fed through and discharged from the ADF; inlet and outlet guide
members installed at respective sides of the opening, and arranged
inside the ADF to guide the individual sheet of the document along
the image reading path; and a guide film installed to cover the
opening between the inlet and outlet guide members, for guiding the
individual sheet of the document along the image reading path to be
discharged, via the document discharge plate.
[0028] The guide film may be made of transparent material, and may
be elastic such that, when the cover is closed, the guide film is
pressed against the platen glass to seal the opening during the
image reading operation, and when the cover is opened, the guide
film is unfolded to release any foreign material accumulated
thereon during the image reading operation.
[0029] The guide film may be installed to be replaceable, and may
be attached to an outlet guide member that has a detachable
structure.
[0030] An antistatic brush may also be provided for removing static
electricity generated when the individual sheet of the document
passes through the guide film. Such an antistatic brush has a
length corresponding to a width of the individual sheet of the
document.
[0031] A contamination checking unit may also be provided for
checking whether the guide film is contaminated. An alarm unit may
further be provided for generating a warning indicating an
abnormality when the guide film is contaminated by means of the
comparison processor. Such a contamination checking unit comprises:
a first memory for storing basic scan data obtained under an
initial condition that the document is not existed; a second memory
for storing measured scan data obtained again under the condition
that the document is not existed after performing the image reading
operation of the document in a predetermined cycle; and a
comparison processor for comparing the value stored in the first
memory and the value stored in the second memory and determining
whether the guide film is contaminated.
[0032] In addition to the example embodiments and aspects as
described above, further aspects and embodiments of the present
invention will be apparent by reference to the drawings and by
study of the following descriptions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] A better understanding of the present invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description of example
embodiments and the claims when read in connection with the
accompanying drawings, all forming a part of the disclosure of this
invention. While the following written and illustrated disclosure
focuses on disclosing example embodiments of the invention, it
should be clearly understood that the same is by way of
illustration and example only and that the invention is not limited
thereto. The spirit and scope of the present invention are limited
only by the terms of the appended claims. The following represents
brief descriptions of the drawings, wherein:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a front view of a typical image forming
apparatus;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an image reader for use in an
image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0036] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an example guide unit and
guide film arrangement of the image reader shown in FIG. 2;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a view for showing the guide unit and guide film
arrangement of the image reader shown in FIG. 2, when a cover is
rotated;
[0038] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an image reader including a
contamination checking unit for checking the contamination state of
a guide film according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a process for checking the
contamination state of a guide film of an image reader according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 7A is a view for showing an example structure of a
guide film according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of the part "VII" shown in FIG.
7A; and
[0042] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus
having an image reader according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0043] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are
described below in order to explain the present invention by
referring to the figures.
[0044] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an image reader for use in an
image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 2, the image reader 100 for use in an
image forming apparatus includes an image reading table (body) 101;
a document glass 103 formed on a surface of the image reading table
101; a cover 105 secured at a distal end of the image reading table
101 to rotate about the distal end between an open position and a
closed position so as to cover the image reading table 101; a
document discharging plate 107 arranged as part of the cover 105 to
receive individual sheets of paper, such as document D3, from an
ADF 120, or document D4 placed on the document glass 103; and an
image reading sensor 109 arranged as part of the image reading
table 101 underneath the ADF 120 for performing an image reading
operation as the individual sheet of paper is being fed through the
ADF 120 or being placed on the document glass 103.
[0046] Specifically, the document glass 103 is installed on an
upper part of the image reading table 101. The image reading sensor
109 is installed to read the image of a document D3 fed through the
ADF 120 after transferring to a fixing position within the image
reading table 101 or to read the image of a document D4 placed on
an upper surface of the document glass 10, while reciprocating in a
straight line parallel to the document glass 103. The cover 105 is
installed to open and close the upper surface of the document glass
103, and has a pressing member 111 for pressing an upper surface of
the document D4 placed on the document glass 103 on a lower part
thereof.
[0047] The ADF 120 includes a document feeding tray 121 for loading
individual sheets of a document D3, and a transfer unit 123 for
transferring the individual sheet of the document D3 from the
document feeding tray 121 for an image reading operation.
[0048] The transfer unit 123 includes a pick-up roller 123a
arranged for picking up the individual sheet of the document loaded
on the document feeding tray 121, transfer rollers 123b arranged
for transferring the picked up document D3 to the document glass
103 for an image reading operation, and discharge rollers 123c
arranged for discharging the transferred document D3 to the
document discharging plate 207 after the image reading operation is
completed.
[0049] Furthermore, a guide unit 125 is also included for allowing
the document D3 fed from the document feeding tray 121 to be guided
along an image reading path to the document discharging plate
107.
[0050] Here, the ADF 120 is provided on one side of an upper part
of the cover 105, and is installed to move according to the opening
and closing operation of the cover 105.
[0051] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a guide unit and guide film
arrangement shown in part "II", FIG. 2, which explains the
constitution of the guide unit 125 of the image forming apparatus
according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 4 is an
enlarged view of the guide unit and guide film arrangement of an
image reader 100, shown in FIG. 2, when the cover 105 is open.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 3, the guide unit 125 includes an upper
guide member 125a and lower guide members 125b and 125c. Here, the
lower guide members 125b and 125c are installed at a predetermined
interval L such that the transferred document D3, as shown in FIG.
2, is exposed to the image reading sensor 109. In order to cover a
part forming the predetermined interval L between first and second
lower guide members 125b and 125c, the guide film 127 is
additionally installed.
[0053] Meanwhile, an antistatic brush 131 connected to a ground
unit (not shown) is additionally installed on the second lower
guide member 125c on which the document D3 is discharged, via
discharge rollers 123c, to the discharge plate 107. Preferably, the
antistatic brush 131 is constituted to have a length corresponding
to a width of the transferred document D3 and then removes static
electricity generated from the document D3 while the document D3
passes through the guide film 127.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 4, one end of the guide film 127 is
connected to an upper surface of the second lower guide member
125c, and the other end thereof is projected under the first lower
guide member 127, so as to move freely. Here, the guide film 127
may be attached by adhesive and the like on the upper surface of
the second lower guide member 125c.
[0055] According to the embodiment of the present invention, if the
cover 105 is closed, the guide film 127 is contacted with the
document D3 on an upper surface thereof and guides the document D3
to the document discharging plate 107, via discharge rollers 123c.
On the other hand, if the cover 105 is opened, the guide film 127
is unfolded and then allows foreign materials, for example, paper
particles (that is, small particles generated from the document D3)
or toner particles, which are possible to attach on the upper
surface thereof, to be dropped therefrom, typically, by virtue of
gravity and/or by virtue of the guide film 127 being elastic when
the cover 105 is rotated about a distal end of an image reading
table 101 from an closed position to an open position, or
vice-versa. Herein, the toner particles denote toner particles
dropped from the document by virtue of contact.
[0056] Now, the operation principle of the image reader 100 for use
in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present invention will be described as follows.
[0057] First, as for the ADF scanning method, the individual sheets
of the document D3 piled up on the document feeding tray 121 are
picked up by the pick up roller 123a and then transferred to a
location to which the image reading sensor 109 performs an image
reading operation, via the transfer rollers 123b, and subsequently
are discharged on the document discharging plate 107, via the
discharge rollers 123c.
[0058] At this time, the image reading sensor 109 stops at a
position opposed to a part between the first and second lower guide
members 125b and 125c, and then reads an image of the transferred
document D3. While the document D3 is transferred and in contacted
with the guide film 127, the static electricity may be generated;
however, the static electricity can be removed by the antistatic
brush 131, while the document D3 is in contact with the antistatic
brush 131.
[0059] Now, as for the flatbed scanning method, after placing the
document D4 on the document glass 103, the image reading sensor 109
reads the image of the document D4 while the image reading sensor
109 is moving in an arrow direction (.revreaction.) in the image
reading table 101.
[0060] Meanwhile, if the cover 105 is opened, the guide film 127
which is passed between the first and second lower guide members
125b and 125c is unfolded, and, as a result, foreign materials
accumulated on the guide film 127 can be advantageously dropped
therefrom.
[0061] Even though the guide film 127 is suspended in a cantilever
type, the foreign materials on the guide film 127 are allowed to be
dropped by force of gravity and/or by elasticity of the guide film
127 when the cover 105 is rotated about a distal end of an image
reading table 101 from an closed position to an open position, or
vice-versa. However, some foreign materials may still remain on the
guide film 127. In order to resolve this problem, a contamination
checking unit 150 is further incorporated for periodically checking
the contamination level of the guide film 127.
[0062] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an image reader further
including a contamination checking unit 150 for checking the
contamination level of the guide film 127 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of brevity, parts
identical to the parts shown in FIG. 2 are given same numerals and
their detailed explanation is omitted.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 5, the contamination checking unit 150
includes a first memory 151 for storing basic scan data obtained
under an initial condition that a document is not existed and being
fed into the image reader 100 for an image reading operation, a
second memory 153 for storing measured scan data obtained again
under the condition that the document is not existed and being fed
into the image reader 10 after performing the image reading
operation of the document in a predetermined cycle, and a
comparison processor 155 for comparing the value saved in the first
memory 151 and the value saved in the second memory 153 and
determining whether the guide film 127 is contaminated based on the
comparison result. Here, the second memory 153 may be a flash
memory or other storage devices.
[0064] In case of determining that the guide film 127 is
contaminated by means of the comparison processor 155, an alarm
unit 160 is further included for providing a warning of an abnormal
state thereof. The alarm unit 160 may be applicable using various
means such as Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diode
(LED) and the like. Here, for the purpose of an alarm method, in
case of applying to an image forming apparatus to be described in
connection with FIG. 8, a printing message may be generated in lieu
of the visual display of such an abnormality generated from the
alarm unit 160.
[0065] Now, the process for checking whether the guide film 127 is
contaminated by the contamination checking unit 150 will be
described with reference to FIG. 6.
[0066] Specifically, FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a process for
checking the contamination state of a guide film arranged in an
image reader 100 according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 6, firstly, an image reading operation is
performed under a condition that the document D3 is not fed and a
guide film 127 is not contaminated, and then the basic scan data is
obtained and saved in the first memory 151. (S10)
[0068] Then, the document D3 is fed from the ADF 120, via transfer
rollers 123b, and is transferred through the guide film 127 to the
document discharging plate 107, via discharge roller 123c. During
this process, the normal image reading operation for reading the
image of the document D3 through the image reading sensor 109 is
performed. (S30)
[0069] During continuously performing the image reading operation,
the contamination checking unit 150 determines whether the image
reading operation has reached a predetermined cycle. (S50) Here,
the cycle may be determined when the number of the document D3
processed by the image reading operation has reached the base
number of sheets.
[0070] When the normal image reading operation has reached the
predetermined cycle, the image reading operation is performed again
under the condition that the document D3 is not fed, and the
measured scan data about the contamination level of the guide film
127 is obtained. The obtained scan data is saved in the second
memory 153. (S70)
[0071] Then, the comparison processor 155 compares the basic scan
data with the measured scan data, and determines whether the guide
film 127 is contaminated based on the comparison result. (S90)
[0072] If the guide film 127 is contaminated, the alarm unit 157
warns a user of the abnormal state such that the user takes proper
steps to correct such an abnormality. (S110)
[0073] Meanwhile, as described above, in case of determining that
the guide film 127 is contaminated using the contamination checking
unit 150, the user may replace the contaminated guide film 127 with
a new guide film.
[0074] FIG. 7A is a view for showing an example structure of a
guide film according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of the part "VII" shown in FIG. 7A.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, a guide film 127 may be
made of transparent material and can exhibit a high degree of
elasticity. A portion of the second lower guide member 125c
attached to the guide film 127 has a detachable structure. The
detachable structure consists of a hooking projection 125e formed
on one part of the lower guide member 125c to which the guide film
127 is attached and a fitting recess 125g formed on the other part
of the lower guide member 125c for receiving the hooking projection
125e. Here, the position of the hooking projection 125e may be
replaced with that of the fitting recess 125g. From the foregoing,
when the guide film 127 is contaminated or damaged, it may be
easily replaced.
[0076] Now, an image forming apparatus incorporating an image
reader 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will
be described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0077] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus
having an image reader 100 according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus includes an
image reading part S including an image reader 100 as shown in FIG.
2, and an image forming part P including an image former 300 for
forming an image on an individual sheet of paper fed from a paper
feeding cassette 500, via a paper feeding mechanism 400, by an
electro photographic method on the basis of the image information
which is read by the image reader 100.
[0079] The image forming part P includes an image former 300 for
forming a toner image on a photosensitive body 301 by means of
electric charge, exposure, and development; a transcription unit
320 for transcribing the toner image formed on the photosensitive
body 301 to the paper P, a paper feeding mechanism 330 for
receiving the paper P from the paper feeding cassette 500, and
feeding the same to the transcription unit 320, a fixing unit 310
for fixing the image transcribed through the transcription unit 320
on the paper P, and a discharging unit 370 for discharging the
paper P with the fixed image to a discharging part 350.
[0080] In FIG. 8, a reference number "200" indicates a control
panel provided with a display panel and various control buttons for
controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus.
[0081] While the present invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes in form and details may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example,
components of a guide unit 125, as shown in FIG. 4, can be arranged
differently as long as a guide film 127 is utilized in the manner
described. Similarly, the contamination checking unit 150 and the
alarm unit 160, as shown in FIG. 5, can be incorporated into
existing components of the image forming apparatus, such as a
system controller. Moreover, such a system controller can be
implemented as a chipset having firmware, or alternatively, a
general or special purposed computer programmed to implement
methods as described with reference to FIG. 6. Accordingly, it is
intended, therefore, that the present invention not be limited to
the various example embodiments disclosed, but that the present
invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the
appended claims.
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